Vt. doctors at Statehouse support single-payer

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Donning lab coats, Vermont doctors are taking to the halls of the Statehouse to lend their backing to Gov. Peter Shumlin's push for a single-payer health care system.

More than two dozen doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners held forth in a committee room Thursday, taking turns at a microphone to explain why they feel a universal health care system would better serve patients than the existing system.

Many, including psychiatrist Dr. Alice Silverman of St. Johnsbury, said restrictions on access to care and the high cost of some tests were causing people to avoid getting the care they need.